First pictures from the set of HBO’s Game of Thrones are gritty, true to the original series

Entertainment Weekly has posted an exclusive slideshow of photos from HBO’s The Game of Thrones. Television or film adaptations of great works of fiction always leave fans a little anxious — the filmmakers have just one shot to get it right, after all. Judging from these production stills, however, it at least seems like the visual direction is on the right track — it doesn’t look like a fantasy series, but like a gritty work of historical fiction, just like Martin’s books read. We are fingers-crossed optimistic that this series will, also like Martin’s books, reinvent the genre, this time on TV.

From EW:

HBO’s take on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling series chronicles the bloody fight for the throne of King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy), who rules over the land of Westeros with the help of his right-hand man, Lord Eddard Stark (Sean Bean), while behind castle walls intrigue brews in the form of attempted murders, more than one incestuous liaison — and the dark backstory of Stark’s bastard son, Jon Snow (Kit Harington, pictured here at far left). The series is slated to debut on HBO in 2011, and EW has your exclusive first look.